Transportation

Some 50-square miles of Erie and Cattaraugus counties that were in rough economic and social shape before the COVID pandemic is in much worse shape now. That is from Rural Outreach Center Executive Director Henry Cerny, whose agency serves the area from an office just outside East Aurora.

A group known as Buffalo Transit Riders United is pushing the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority to give riders more of a voice in policy decision making.

Buffalo Place is surveying anyone impacted by downtown transportation and parking issues, in an effort to improve city accessibility.

New York City's subway system handles about 5.7 million riders every weekday, more than 10 times the combined daily ridership of all other public transportation systems in the rest of New York State. But upstate systems face many of the same challenges - plus an added hurdle: getting more state funding at a time when the downstate transit woes get all the attention.

For at least 20 years, the Buffalo Public Schools system and the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority have had what amounts to a handshake deal to carry the city's high school students. However, the district wants better return for its $8 million a year and might look for competitors.

An initiative that has promoted pedal power throughout the area is celebrating its one year anniversary in Buffalo.

The new state budget includes provisions for ride-hailing companies like Uber and Lyft to expand into upstate New York as of this summer.

What happens when 200 bicycles are strategically placed at 35 stations throughout Buffalo for people to share?

Congressman Brian Higgins reported no update on potential plans for the re-use of Buffalo’s DL&W Terminal as a multi-modal transit hub.

Ride-sharing may finally be on its way back to upstate New York, at least according to an official from a high-profile passenger service.

As Williamsville drivers clamor for solutions to traffic congestion on Main Street, Congressman Brian Higgins said the State Thruway Authority needs to act.

Drivers who have enjoyed  falling gas prices over the last month should expect more good news at the pump.  Experts say the national average for a gallon of gasoline might fall below $2 dollars by the end of the year.

A local anti-fracking group is prodding Governor Andrew Cuomo to impose a statewide ban on the shipment of explosive oils.  Western New York Drilling Defense member Charley Bowman tells WBFO that

A group of upstate taxi operators and limousine companies has hired a political heavy-hitter to lobby state lawmakers in a push to ensure that ridesharing services comply with existing regulations.

Long-debated plans to make improvements at the Thruway's traffic-clogged Williamsville toll barrier are expected to move forward in  the near future.